The 30 Best Actresses Right Now (2010)

The Top 30 Actresses as of Right NOW!

1. Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep is no stranger to lists such as these. She has been placed among the best of the best for years, due to her solid acting skills, her ability to take on any role, and just her sheer believability (not to mention all her awards). She can be serious, she can be funny... she can do it all! And that's why she's #1.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Julia Child in "Julie and Julia"

Donna Sheridan in "Mamma Mia!"

Miranda Priestly in "The Devil Wears Prada"

Karen Silkwood in "Silkwood"

Joanna Kramer in "Kramer v. Kramer"

2. Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett has something in common with Meryl Streep (besides an Oscar): she can do anything! She's been a queen, a dancer, an elf... she's even been Katherine Hepburn! And don't forget her crazy performance as Irina Spalko in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." She is versatile, flexible, and committed; and when she's onscreen, I am drawn in by her. She's amazing!

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Queen Elizabeth I in "Elizabeth" and "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"

Annabelle "Annie" Wilson in "The Gift"

Lady Gertrude Chiltern in "An Ideal Husband"

Galadriel in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy

Daisy in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

3. Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet stole many hearts playing the beautiful, romantic, heroine Rose in "Titanic," but afterwards, no one quite knew what to expect from her. Would she be a world class actress? Or would she be always famous as Rose? Well, Kate made some smart decisions and chose to build up a resume that dreams are made of. With an Oscar under her belt (and several nominations as well), she has shown that she is the real deal.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Rose DeWitt Bukater in "Titanic"

Marianne Dashwood in "Sense and Sensibility"

Clementine Kruczynski in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"

Iris Simpkins in "The Holiday"

April Wheeler in "Revolutionary Road"

Great Films:

Who Else Holds Her Own Against Meryl, Cate, and Kate?

4. Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman has gone from rising star, to Hollywood arm candy, to comeback queen, to where she is now: one of the best actresses in the film industry. Her numerous awards (including an Oscar) show that she is being recognized for her brilliance, yet it still sometimes feels like Kidman is the underdog. But with her beauty, talent, and brains, Nicole Kidman is sure to prove all those who doubt her wrong by becoming, not only one of the greatest actresses of our time, but one of the greatest actresses of ALL time.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Satine in "Moulin Rouge!"

Grace Margaret Mulligan in "Dogville"

Virginia Woolf in "The Hours"

Mrs. Coulter in "The Golden Compass"

Lady Sarah Ashley in "Australia"

5. Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore is insanely beautiful, yet she seems approachable... like she could be my friend... or maybe my mom. She has grace and poise and talent above and beyond most Hollywood actresses. And she's timeless. She is just as convincing as a 1950s housewife as she is as a modern day scientist, and that, my friends, is why she is #5 on this list!

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Laura Brown in "The Hours"

Cathy Whitaker in "Far from Heaven"

Allison Reed in "Evolution"

Mrs. Laura Cheveley in "An Ideal Husband"

Sarah Miles in "The End of the Affair"

6. Renee Zellweger

Is it safe to say Renee Zellweger "had me at hello?" Because she did. When I saw her in "Jerry Maguire" I thought she was beautiful; fresh, new, and maybe still a little green, but vibrant green that shines and does not falter. And she is still a wave of fresh air in every picture I see her in. No longer green, however, Renee Zellweger is a force to be reckoned with.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Bridget Jones in "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason"

Roxie Hart in "Chicago"

Barbara Novak in "Down with Love"

Ruby Thewes in "Cold Mountain"

Lexie Littleton in "Leatherheads"

7. Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie has a magnetic power that not every actress has. Men and women both like her because she oozes sex, she is a powerful woman, a talented actress, and of course a compassionate humanitarian. But let's get back to that talent part. I first saw Angelina Jolie in "True Women" on tv. I remember being drawn to her even back then. When she drew heavier public and media attention for her roles in "Gia" and "Girl, Interrupted," I knew that she had a big career ahead of her.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Lisa Rowe in "Girl, Interrupted"

Julia Russell / Bonny Castle in "Original Sin"

Sarah Jordan in "Beyond Borders"

Jane Smith in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith"

Christine Collins in "Changeling"

8. Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman has been in a lot of great movies, and her role as Padme Amidala in the "Star Wars" prequels guarantees that she will always have fans. But it seems as though Natalie Portman wanted to push herself farther and do even more interesting and thought-provoking roles. And I am so thankful. Natalie Portman is such an amazing talent who is so skilled at creating new and interesting characters. She sits at #8 already, but if she keeps up the good work, she may one day find herself at #1.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Sara in "Cold Mountain"

Sam in "Garden State"

Alice in "Closer"

Evey Hammond in "V for Vendetta"

Ann Boleyn in "The Other Boleyn Girl"

9. Thandie Newton

Thandie Newton may not have the lengthy resume of some of the other ladies on this list, but we're talking about quality anyway, not quantity, and Thandie Newton knows how to give a quality performance. One of my favorites is Christine Thayer in "Crash." Newton made her character so real; so emotionally stirring that I was in awe, and I have been ever since.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Beloved in "Beloved"

Dame Vaako in "The Chronicles of Riddick"

Christine Thayer in "Crash"

Elizabeth Olivia "Libby" Odell in "Run, Fatboy, Run"

Linda in "The Pursuit of Happyness"

10. Amy Adams

Amy Adams makes me smile. Her movie choices are always great. I say this because in the past, she has consistently been in movies that I really wanted to see. Not only that, but in each one she would have an entertaining, interesting, and often deep character to play. Each time, she made it look easy. Now instead of seeing her in movies I want to see, I'm going to movies to see her specifically. I haven't been disappointed yet.

Top Actresses: 11-20

11. Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews is an icon. She is a classic lady with style and grace, and she is so talented. Acting, singing, dancing, and touching people's lives for years, Julie Andrews remains relevant in Hollywood today by lending her voice to the "Shrek" movies and making other family-friendly fare such as "The Princess Diaries." In both series she plays a queen, and the amazing thing is... she seems like she really could be a queen. She commands respect, but ever so kindly, and she always handles herself so properly. I mean, she's Hollywood royalty, of course. Plus, she's "practically perfect in every way." So there.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Mary Poppins in "Mary Poppins"

Maria in "The Sound of Music"

Victoria Grant in "Victor/Victoria"

Ethel Thayer in "On Golden Pond" (TV)

Queen Clarisse Renaldi in "The Princess Diaries" and "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

12. Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway started off with a squeaky-clean career in the movie business, doing family hits like "The Princess Diaries," "Ella Enchanted," and "Nicholas Nickleby." Then she made "Havoc" and "Brokeback Mountain" and started down the path towards Oscar nods, high salaries, and worldwide recognition. Hathaway's acting forte thus far? Kym in "Rachel Getting Married" which helped her to earn 8 awards as well as nominations for a Golden Globe, a SAG, and an Oscar! If Anne Hathaway keeps it up, she will be on top of her game and unstoppable in a few years (like her "The Devil Wear's Prada" costar sitting at #1).

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Ella in "Ella Enchanted"

Lureen Newsome in "Brokeback Mountain"

Andrea "Andy" Sachs in "The Devil Wears Prada"

Jane Austen in "Becoming Jane"

Kym in "Rachel Getting Married"

13. Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster has been acting for most of her life, so it's no wonder that she is listed on many top acting lists. (No wonder at all; Jodie Foster has won three Bafta Awards, two Golden Globes Awards, A Screen Actor's Guild Award, Two Oscars, and received several nominations including two more Oscar nominations and two Emmy nominations). But the thing that is really amazing about Jodie Foster is that she seems open to trying new things, she takes risks, and she keeps things interesting. How can one woman be an FBI agent, a prostitute, a backwoods hermit, a scientist, a writer, and a mom and be convincing as all of them? Well... she's Jodie Foster.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Clarice Starling in "The Silence of the Lambs"

Annabelle Bransford in "Maverick"

Eleanor Arroway in "Contact"

Meg Altman in "Panic Room"

Elodie Gordes in "Un long mi manche de fiancailles" (A Very Long Engagement)

14. Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts was THE biggest movie star when I was a kid in the late 80's and 90's. She was seriously "America's Sweetheart" --fitting, as she was also eventually in a movie of the same name. (One of my favorites) I loved her movies, and I watched them religiously with my mom and sister: "Mystic Pizza," "Pretty Woman," "Steel Magnolias," "Sleeping with the Enemy," and all the rest. But I never really thought about whether she was a quality actress or not; she was Julia Roberts, and I loved her and her smile and her movies and her whole image. But then she did "Erin Brokovich" and I was able to see her shine in a whole new way. She is one of the best, no question, and hopefully will make many more movies for me to enjoy in the future.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Vivian Ward in "Pretty Woman"

Shelby Eatenton Latcherie in "Steel Magnolias"

Erin Brokovich in "Erin Brokovich"

Kathleen "Kiki" Harrison in "America's Sweethearts"

Anna in "Closer"

15. Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley confused critics when she hit the movie scene. After "Bend it like Beckham" and the first "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie rocketed her to stardom, she had a few misses and a couple of bombs. Critics couldn't decide if she was the next great actress or just another pretty face. That all seemed to change with movies like "Love Actually" and most notably "Pride and Prejudice." After those movies hit, it seemed like the answer was clear: Keira Knightley was a legitimate rising star. When I saw "Atonement" in the theater, I thought for sure it would result in Oscar nods for Knightley and her (dreamy) costar James McAvoy. When it didn't, I was shocked. But just because the awards don't flood in doesn't mean there isn't something there. I believe that Keira Knightley may be one of the greatest ever someday, as long as she doesn't make "Domino II."

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Juliette "Jules" Paxton in "Bend it Like Beckham"

Elizabeth Swann in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series

Elizabeth Bennet in "Pride and Prejudice"

Cecilia Tallis in "Atonement"

Giorgiana, Duchess of Devonshire in "The Duchess"

16. Catherine Zeta Jones

Catherine Zeta Jones is hot. I am a straight lady myself, but when I saw Catherine Zeta Jones for the first time (in "The Mask of Zorro") I had to catch my breath. She was so stunning! But the best part was that she was beautiful AND talented. Catherine Zeta Jones has shown depth with roles like Helena Ayala in "Traffic" but she also serves up the perfect amount of ooh la la sex appeal when she has to be the go-to, sexpot, man-charmer. She used some of that sex appeal (along with some legitimate dancing skills) to amp up her performance in "Chicago" and earned herself a well deserved Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Hopefully more musicals are on her horizon because she truly shines in them, but no matter what she does, you know you're going to be seeing a skilled actress at work.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Elena Montero in "The Mask of Zorro"

Helena Ayala in "Traffic"

Gwen Harrison in "America's Sweethearts"

Velma Kelly in "Chicago"

Marylin in "Intolerable Cruelty"

17. Penelope Cruz

Penelope Cruz is one of the most underrated actresses out there. She's done some fantastic work, but has barely been recognized for it. Luckily, that's all started to change, especially after her success in "Vicky, Christina, Barcelona." Hopefully, she will continue to pursue interesting and complex roles so that everyone can see what I already know: Penelope Cruz is a fantastic actress.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Isabella Oliveira in "Woman on Top"

Sofia Serrano in "Vanilla Sky"

Raimunda in "Volver"

Maria Elena in "Vicky, Christina, Barcelona"

Carla in "Nine"

18. Sigourney Weaver

No one plays a strong woman quite like Sigourney Weaver. Sometimes her strong woman is in space battling aliens (as she did in "Alien"), sometimes her strong woman is in space trying to save aliens (as she did in "Avatar"), and sometimes her strong woman is just a huge, corporate bitch (I hope you're thinking of Katharine Parker from "Working Girl" like I am). But no matter what, Sigourney Weaver brings her A-game, and she delivers.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Ellen Ripley in the "Alien" series

Dian Fossey in "Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey

Gwen DeMarco in "Galaxy Quest"

Alice Hunt in "The Village"

Dr. Grace Augustine in "Avatar"

19. Kristin Scott Thomas

Kristin Scott Thomas may not be one of the most famous actresses on this list, but I bet people know her roles well. She adds such depth and life to characters that you really do kind of forget you're watching Kristin Scott Thomas: The Actor and you just get pulled into the story. At least I do. And after watching "Life as a House" for the millionth time not too long ago, I still cried... hard and honestly... over the characters created by Thomas and her costar, Kevin Kline. That shows me how great she truly is. If you can still get me crying that many views later, then you are doing something really right.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Katherine Clifton in "The English Patient"

Annie Maclean in "The Horse Whisperer"

Robin Kimball in "Life as a House"

Lady Elizabeth Boleyn in "The Other Boleyn Girl"

Alette Naylor in "Confessions of a Shopaholic"

20. Judi Dench

Judi Dench has a large body of work behind her in movies and in television, but she made this list because she is still quite relevant today, even after all these years. You can find Judi Dench in blockbusters ("Chronicles of Riddick," "James Bond") and lavish period pieces ("The Importance of Being Earnest," "Pride and Prejudice") and anywhere else she wants to be. She is Dame Judi Dench... and I'm pretty sure she can do whatever she wants.

Top Actresses 21-30

21. Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton is quirky, cute, and funny but she is also serious and believable. There is something so special about Keaton's characters that seems to appeal to the masses. She gives them flaws, she gives them eccentricities, and she makes them come to life. I will admit, I wasn't sold on Diane Keaton until I saw "Something's Gotta Give" and then suddenly, I loved her. So I started catching up on my Diane Keaton movies and now I have such an appreciation for her as an actress, so much so, that she makes #21 on our list.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Annie Hall in "Annie Hall"

Kay Adams (Corleone) in "The Godfather" series

Erica Barry in "Something's Gotta Give"

Jan Mannus in "Mama's Boy"

Daphne Wilder in "Because I Said So"

22. Robin Wright Penn

Robin Wright first caught my eye in "The Princess Bride." As Princess Buttercup, she was already a superstar in my mind. She was beautiful, sweet, strong, and talented. Through the years (and the addition of Penn to her name after her marriage to actor Sean Penn) I have grown to appreciate her more and more. She has an ability to show the depth and richness of a character through the most subtle changes in her eyes and she pulls me into movies I'm unsure of with her sheer presence. I hope she makes many more films in the years ahead.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Princess Buttercup in "The Princess Bride"

Jenny Curran in "Forest Gump"

Moll Flanders in "Moll Flanders"

Starr in "White Oleander"

Pippa Lee in "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee"

23. Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten Dunst, like Jodie Foster, started acting as a child and has successfully merged a child actor's career with a serious, grown-up film career. She has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood (Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Orlando Bloom, etc.), has been in some major blockbusters ("Spiderman"), and has worked to make a name for herself as well. Not only that, but Dunst is growing more and more all the time, and if she continues to do that, she could find herself working her way towards an Oscar.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Claudia in "Interview with the Vampire"

Young Amy March in "Little Women"

Lux Lisbon in "The Virgin Suicides"

Torrance Shipman in "Bring it On"

Mary in "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"

24. Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock has been admired by fans for years but has often been harshly looked upon by critics. Though her performances have always been well received (everyone knew she was good) not everyone was sure that she was great. A lot of negative opinions have been changed now that Bullock received an Oscar for her work in "The Blind Side" and I only hope that more and more people start to recognize the true talent that lives in Sandra Bullock.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Annie Porter in "Speed"

Birdee Pruit in "Hope Floats"

Jean Cabot in "Crash"

Margaret Tate in "The Proposal"

Leigh Anne Tuohy in "The Blind Side"

25. Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore hit the pop music scene in the nineties and looked like just another Britney/Christina/Jessica clone. With bleach blonde hair and sugar-coated candy pop, I never really took Mandy Moore seriously. Then I saw "A Walk to Remember." Before seeing it, I remember being worried about Mandy Moore in the role of the amazing Jamie Sullivan (I mean, we've all seen some bad movies with singers... "Crossroads," "Glitter," "From Justin to Kelly") but she surprised me; she could actually act! Since then, I have been a die-hard Mandy Moore fan. I watched her grow in her music ("Everblue" off her latest album is amazing!!) and I watched her grow as an actress. And in my opinion, Mandy Moore could be one of the very best, she just needs to keep growing and finding roles that push her. If she does... watch out!

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Milly Wilder in "Because I Said So"

Lucy Reilly in "Dedication"

Hilary Faye in "Saved!"

Halley Martin in "How to Deal"

Jamie Sullivan in "A Walk to Remember"

26. Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal and her brother, Jake, have taken the world of film by storm. From indie films to big blockbusters, it seems as though there is nothing that a Gyllenhaal can't do. Maggie Gyllenhaal definitely shines in the low-budget, story and character driven movies, as putting her in a blockbuster with minimal lines and parts is a waste of her talent. One notable exception however is "The Dark Knight." "The Dark Knight" happened to be a blockbuster that also showcased her talent, and hopefully introduced Maggie Gyllenhaal to a whole new audience that can appreciate her as much as I already do.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Elizabeth Darko in "Donnie Darko"

Lee Holloway in "Secretary"

Sherry Swanson in "Sherry Baby"

Rachel in "The Dark Knight"

Jean Craddock in "Crazy Heart"

27. Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon is relevant to this list because the woman just keeps on working and making great entertainment. Whether it's leading roles (like Louise Sawyer from "Thelma and Louise"), supporting roles (such as Liz in the remake of "Alfie"), or bit parts in SNL shorts ("Motherlover") Susan Sarandon is here, she's working hard, and she is doing high quality work as she has always done. Her work is appreciated world wide (her awards, including an Oscar, show that) but I feel like she deserves even more. She is versatile, sexy, talented, smart, and has a sense of humor. Yes... she is one of the top actresses of our time... and I kinda just want to be her friend!

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Queen Narissa in "Enchanted"

Sister Helen Prejean in "Dead Man Walking"

Louise Sawyer in "Thelma and Louise"

Mrs. Abigail "Marmee" March in "Little Women"

Janet Weiss in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"

28. Dakota Fanning

Dakota Fanning is the youngest actress on this list, but that goes to show you that she is prepped for greatness. Acting since... probably birth, Dakota Fanning already has an impressive list of movies on her resume, along with a lot of appreciation and positive reviews. If she can navigate her way into a grown-up film career (as Jodie Foster and Kirsten Dunst have done) she will be unstoppable.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Lucy Diamond Dawson in "I am Sam"

Pita in "Man on Fire"

Rachel Ferrier in "War of the Worlds"

Lily Owens in "The Secret Life of Bees"

Jane in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon"

29. Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah knows how to deliver; in movies, on television, in music, and even in Cover Girl ads. People are drawn to the Queen because she seems like a normal person that you could talk to and hang out with, and yet she still stands out with her diverse talents, classy style, and just a touch of street cred. She shines brightest in musicals, as she is able to showcase her acting and singing skills, but Queen Latifah can shine anywhere.

Noteworthy Performances to Watch:

Cleopatra "Cleo" Sims in "Set it Off"

Matron Mama Morton in "Chicago"

August Boatwright in "The Secret Life of Bees"

Georgia Byrd in "Last Holiday"

Motormouth Maybelle in "Hairspray"

30. Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore is all over the place. But that may not be a bad thing. It seems as though the more Drew explores, grows, develops, and shifts gears, the more amazing things she accomplishes. She's an actress, she's a producer... and she even sang a little for "Music and Lyrics." But often times, Drew Barrymore gets written off by critics as a "comedic" actress only. But I think that she can do it all. She just needs to be passionate about the project. Proof of this: "Grey Gardens." Her acting was superb, and people are starting to take a little more notice. I say: it's about time.

Reader Comments

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superherogirl 5 years ago

i can't get behind renee zellwigger but amy adams and kate winslet are my all time biggest girl crushes!!

Kels 5 years ago

Jennifer Anniston is not on the list most likely because she's sub par actress with very limited range. She plays the same type of character in everything she's in without a drop of versatility in her entire career. She's good at playing one thing and that's a character that I'm willing to bet isn't much all that different from herself. It's great that she's made a career out of that, but I don't consider actors who do that very impressive. For the most part, the actresses on this list are women who have made great strides in their careers with tremendous depth and versatility. Jennifer Anniston cannot compete.

hey there,where is jennifer anniston ,she is not found in that list why,she such a great actresse maybe she should be at the top

Meg 6 years ago

I expected to see Gwyneth Paltrow on here, but I was very accepting of her absence. As long as P. Cruz and Kate Winslet made the cut, you did fine, although Clare Danes is worthy of a mention.

Ria 6 years ago

What about Helena Bonham Carter?!

The big Jayhawk 6 years ago

Seems to me that Hilary Swank has won a couple of academy awards, she isn't on the list

aasd 6 years ago

marion cotillard? la vie en rose?

yenajeon 6 years agofrom California

Fantastic list besides the Mandy Moore bit. Great job! I'm gonna have to catch up on some movies.

Author

Meagan 6 years agofrom Lansing, MI

I haven't seen a ton of Naomi Watts' work, but you are right on the money on her performance in "Mulholland Drive." It was amazing. I will have to watch more of her movies. Perhaps she will be on my top actresses of 2011 list! :)

Phil Hodgman 6 years ago

How can you leave out Naomi Watts? Her performance in Mulholland Drive was an incredible tour de force. In King Kong, acting against a computerized gorilla, she still managed to steal the show. Also see 21 Grams, showing incredible range of emotions.

Author

Meagan 6 years agofrom Lansing, MI

Thank you. :)

toyboyclip 6 years agofrom India

Nice Hub

Author

Meagan 6 years agofrom Lansing, MI

I considered both Laura Linney and Helen Hunt! They are definitely amazing actresses as well. Thanks for sharing your opinion. One of the best parts of an article like this is that not everyone is going to agree on it, and it can spark some great conversation and debate. :)

Andy Webb 7 years ago

I was getting to the final third of the list and feeling a little disappointed at two of my favourite actresses not seeming to be there. But they were at 27 Susan Sarandon, who for me would be up in my top 5, and Drew Barrymore who would have made it into my top 10.

My only one I sort of disagreed with is Mandy Moore and would happily replace her with Laura Linney or Helen Hunt.

optimus grimlock 7 years ago

original sin was unwatchable! you put alot of work in this and it shows. Im not a fan of the top 3 because a majority of their moves are long and drawn out.